Interspecific Tree Named &#39;AUTUMN MAGIC&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Fruit with an attractive dark red skin color.   2. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.   3. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.   4. Fruit maturing in the late season.   5. Tree with vigorous, upright growth habit.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Interspecific Prunus species

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Autumn Magic’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, ‘Flavorfall’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 11,990), ‘Spicezee’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,503),‘Fall Fiesta’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,428) and ourproprietary non-patented interspecific seedlings with the fieldidentification numbers ‘28MF660’, ‘32M146’, ‘65Z400’, ‘30M5.91’ and‘62LG300’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct interspecific tree consists of Prunus salicina,Prunus armeniaca, Prunus persica and Prunus persica var. nucipersica. Itwas originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif. as an open pollinated seedling selection from our proprietarynon-patented interspecific seedling ‘28MF660’. The seed parent ‘28MF660’is a first generation seedling from the cross of our non-patentedproprietary interspecific seedlings ‘32M146’ and ‘30M591’. ‘32M146’ is afirst generation seedling from the cross of our proprietary seedling‘65Z400’ and ‘Spicezee’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,503).‘30M591’ is a first generation seedling from the cross of ourproprietary seedling ‘62LG300’ and ‘Flavorfall’ Interspecific (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 11,990). A large number of these open pollinatedseedlings were budded onto older established trees of ‘Nemaguard’Rootstock (non-patented) to enhance earlier fruit production. Underclose and careful observation the present budded seedling exhibiteddesirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in 2012 foradditional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2012 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofinterspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which consists ofPlum, Apricot, Peach and Nectarine has vigorous, upright growth and is aregular and productive bearer of large size fruit with an attractivedark red skin color. The fruit is further characterized by its firmflesh, good flavor and eating quality with good storage and shippingability. In comparison to its seed parent (28MF660) the fruit of the newvariety has darker red skin, sets a more consistent crop and is 6 daysearlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘FallFiesta’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,428) the fruit of the newvariety is approximately 25 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 4 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 4 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width            for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different            cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first            growing season. Varies with cultural practices, soil type,            fertility and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branch habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for marketable size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 3 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of Calif.            Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chilling            requirement approximately 750 hours at or below 45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large, average circumference 38.1 cm at 25.4 cm above            ground on a 4 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 7/2 to 2.5Y 5/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 8.7 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 51 in a 25.8 square cm section of            branch. Average length 3.1 mm. Average width 0.9 mm. Color            varies from 2.5Y 5/4 to 2.5Y 4/2.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 to 7.5YR 3/6. Mature            growth varies from 7.5YR 4/2 to 10YR 3/2, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 91.0 mm. Average width            42.8 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Small to medium. Average length 14.2 mm. Average            width 1.4 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous.            Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Number varies from 2 to 3, average            number 3. Size — small. Average length 1.2 mm. Average width            0.6 mm. Located primarily on the upper portion of the            petiole and the base of the leaf blade. Color varies from            5GY 5/6 to 7.5R 3/4.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 9.9 mm. Margin —            pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/4 to 5GY 5/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 7.5GY 2/4.            Lower surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 5GY 8/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 11.2 mm. Average            diameter 6.5 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.3 mm. Average width 0.8 mm.            Surface glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 7 to 10, average number            8.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 12, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 22, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 10.1 mm. Average            diameter 24.9 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Petal            apex — rounded. Petal base — rounded to somewhat truncated.            Size— medium to large. Average length 10.3 mm. Average width            22.8 mm. Form — elliptical. Arrangement — free. Margin —            sinuate. Color N 9:5/ (white). Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to the petals. Size            — medium. Average length 3.4 mm. Average width 2.7 mm. Shape            — ovate. Apex rounded to triangular. Margin — entire. Both            upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface            varies from 5GY 6/8 to 7.5GY 6/8. Lower surface varies from            5GY 5/6 to 7.5GY 6/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 28. Average filament            length 8.2 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 10R 4/10 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pollen.—Self-sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            5Y. 7/8 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Surface — glabrous. Average            length 9.8 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.7 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 10Y 8/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Pedicel.—Average length 11.3 mm. Average width 0.8 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from            1 to 4.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Oct. 2, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Oct. 11, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 60.2 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 62.7 mm. Average weight 150.5            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Lipped.        -   Apex.—Nearly round.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 7.1 mm. Average breadth 4.9 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 10.5 mm. Average            diameter 2.6 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/8 to 7.5YR 3/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to standard varieties.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.        -   Flavor.—Good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 21.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/8 to 2.5Y 8/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 24.5 mm. Average width 22.3 mm.            Average depth 7.1 mm. Color varies from 2.5Y 8/8 to 7.5R            3/12.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth to slightly undulated.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 9/2 to 2.5Y 9/4.            Overspread with 2.5R 2/2 to 5R 2/2.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slight to none.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 23.5 mm. Average width 21.3 mm.            Average thickness 12.1 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.1 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further outward from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Very narrow, small ridge near groove on each side of            suture, extends from base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/6 to 10YR 4/4 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 14.4 mm. Average width            10.4 mm. Average depth 5.3 mm.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5YR 4/6 to 10YR 4/4.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been    noted under normal cultural practices.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described.